June 6, 2020Ellen Dostal – Broadway World “May you live in interesting times,” has taken on new meaning in 2020 amid the current world health crisis. No one could have imagined a scenario like this where theater doors would be forced to close indefinitely. And yet, they have. But you can’t dampen the heart of an artistRead More

March 3, 2020Deborah Klugman – Stage Raw In a Rorschach test, an individual is presented with a series of abstract images and asked what they see. Their answers are used by the administering psychiatrist or psychologist to gain insight into that person’s state of mind. Open Fist Theater Company’s current production is titled Rorschach Fest. Presented asRead More

February 27, 2020Erin Conley – On Stage & Screen It all begins with a note on a car and a case of mistaken identity. Found, a musical based on the books and magazines of the same name by Davy Rothbart, opened this past weekend in its west coast premiere at IAMA Theatre Company in Los Angeles. ReadRead More

February 22, 2020Jonas Schwartz – Broadway World After two successful runs in Los Angeles in 2012 and 2014 at the Pantages, that smut-mouthed, but endearing musical comedy The Book Of Mormon has squatted downtown at the Ahmanson, and third time around, it has lost none of its luster, or its smut. Read more… Now running through MarchRead More

February 22, 2020Rob Stevens – Haines His Way A middle-aged couple wake up one morning naked in bed. The woman gently removes his hand from her breast, dons a handy silk robe and is off to the kitchen to make coffee. The man soon follows. Read more… Now running through March 15

February 19, 2020Lovell Estell III — Stage Raw Hamlet The Rock Musical has had a few iterations since it debuted in 1973 with the title Kronberg 1582. It was commissioned by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, where it was part of a larger radio program. In 1976, it ran on Broadway for seven shows as Rockabye Hamlet, andRead More

February 19, 2020Terry Morgan - Stage Raw Poverty and homelessness and what to do about them are hardly new matters of concern. King Lear berates his newly-found conscience thus: “Poor naked wretches…how shall your houseless heads and unfed sides…defend you from seasons such as these? O, I have ta’en too little care of this!” Read more… MargaretRead More

Members of the ensemble of Ebony Repertory Company, A Raisin in the Sun. (From L to R) Jason Dirden, Kenya Alexander and Deidrie Henry.

A grand time was had by all who attended the 43rd Annual Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Awards event. This group of professional theater critics, theLos Angeles Drama Critics Circle (LADCC), annually gives awards for excellence in theater.

The ceremony took place Monday, March 19, 2012 at A Noise Within’s glamorous theater in Pasadena, and was co-produced by LADCC members David C. Nichols and Sharon Perlmutter.

The fun-filled show featured lively banter and comedic performances from hosts Jason Graae (recipient of the 2007 Joel Hirschhorn Award for outstanding achievement in musical theater) and Lesli Margherita (nominee for Kiss Me, Kate).

In addition to handing out the numerous prizes for excellence in theater, the Awards event featured the Los Angeles premiere performance of My Husband, by Paul Rudnick, a short play added to the New York production of Standing on Ceremony: The Gay Marriage Plays. The play was charmingly performed by Wendie Malick (Hot in Cleveland) and Christopher Gorham (Covert Affairs).

Yvette Tucker and Salvatore Vasallo also performed a sizzling excerpt from “Slaughter on Tenth Avenue,” a dance duet from On Your Toes, choreographed by this year’s Hirschhorn Award recipient, Lee Martino.

Please enjoy this photo essay that highlights the attendees, the presenters, the performers, the members, the nominees and — of course — the winners.

All photos were taken by Ed Krieger.

The evening’s co-hosts, Lesli Margherita and Jason Graae, raise a toast to all nominees.

David Wiener accepts The Ted Schmitt Award for the world premiere of an outstanding new play for Extraordinary Chambers. Pictured with Lori Thimsen of award sponsor Samuel French, Inc. and Mayank Keshaviah (LADCC member.)

Awards night co-producer David C. Nichols (LADCC)

Co-winner for Lighting Design Jeremy Pivnick, House of the Rising Son. (Award-winner Paule Constable, Les Misérables is not pictured.)

Wendie Malick and Christopher Gorham perform a short play by Paul Rudnick (from the NY production of Standing on Ceremony: The Gay Marriage Plays.)

Co-winner for Writing, John Pollono, for Small Engine Repair. (Award-winner David Harrower, for Blackbird is not pictured.)

Sean Branney of Theatre Banshee accepts the McCulloh Award for Revival for The Crucible (one of three winners in this category), with members of the company.

The Angstrom Award for career achievement in lighting design was awarded to Lap Chi Chu, pictured with LADCC President Bob Verini.

Bart DeLorenzo of Evidence Room accepts the Production Award for Margo Veil, with members of the company. Co-winner was also Small Engine Repair, Rogue Machine.